Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Ambush (1)
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Several weeks had passed since then, and the days were starting to heat up.
Daily life at Erebos Royal Academy had already reached the end of the semester.
Thanks to that, I found myself with some rare free time.
The biggest reason was that the worshippers who used to visit the chapel to prepare for final exams had stopped coming.
"Priest Leo, it looks like I won't be able to make it to the chapel for a while."
"What happened this time?"
"They're busy preparing for the feast at the cathedral and cracking down on us underlings, so it's awkward to go out anywhere."
Even Mr. Lowen, who dropped by occasionally, couldn't visit the chapel anymore due to his heavy workload at the cathedral.
No worshippers meant no offerings, and no offerings meant no reason for Mr. Lowen to visit.
In the end, it brought me a long-overdue peace.
With this unexpected leisure, I decided to do what I could.
——Woooong.
I drew out the holy power stored in my handkerchief—no, my holy cloth—and gathered it in my palm.
Of course, the condensed holy power by itself was useless. It only became useful once I shaped this vortex of holy power into holy magic.
"First, like kneading clay..."
I raised my other hand and began to shape the condensed holy power. Shaping it wasn't difficult. It felt similar to fiddling with clay.
"...Like this, right?"
I shaped the holy power according to the manual Elise had taught me.
The lump of holy power at the tip of my palm then transformed into holy magic.
Paaaat.
It was a very simple healing spell. Though it could only treat scratches or bruises, it was an achievement I couldn't have dreamed of just a few weeks ago.
"...Impressive."
Honestly, this level of holy magic wouldn't subdue a chimera, let alone a street kid.
- "Don't worry, Priest. That's plenty impressive. If you climb one step at a time, you'll surely reach a high level."
According to Elise, who visited every morning, my progress was remarkably fast.
Though I couldn't store holy power in my body and had to refuel from her periodically, I was apparently quite good at shaping it.
At this rate, I might even manage a basic holy barrier before summer break.
I held onto that modest hope.
"Master, I trained hard again today."
Meanwhile, Sophia visited me without fail at lunchtime every day.
As she savored the nutty flavor of rye bread with a bite, she proudly recited her training highlights.
"They said monsters appear in dungeons. The way they fight is different from humans, so it was fun."
"Is that so? Sounds intriguing."
"Yes! It's an illusion training ground that the magic department put a lot of effort into. It even replicates smells, which makes it pretty fun. Actually, not relying on sight makes it more comfortable..."
Fortunately, Sophia seemed to be taking her training seriously.
Dungeon exploration practice was an essential event in Act 3 for boosting Sophia's specs, no matter what. I was grateful for her enthusiasm.
"So, Master... about that wish you mentioned last time..."
"Wish?"
"Yes."
Sophia nodded eagerly.
To encourage her zeal, I had dangled a carrot, and she seemed eager to claim it.
"Yes. I'll grant it as long as it's within my power. What is it?"
"...Um..."
Sophia hesitated, glancing at me cautiously.
"...Would you go on a trip with me?"
"A trip?"
"Yes. Summer break is coming soon... and after the dungeon exploration practice, the dorms close. That's when I have to go back to Aquilova territory..."
"Ah."
The original story did mention that.
Erebos Academy dorms shut down during breaks. Students typically return home to enjoy their two months off.
The problem here was that Sophia was from Aquilova—a fallen noble house. Without dorms, she wouldn't even have a place to stay, let alone a family to go to.
"Miss Sophia, where did you stay during last year's break?"
"...In caves that kept out the rain... or doing odd jobs at inns near the academy to have a place to crash."
"..."
It was heartbreaking.
During breaks, Sophia essentially lived like a stray dog, as Elise had put it.
"A trip, huh..."
I pondered for a moment.
The main event of Act 3—Archbishop Balua's scheme—exploded right around the end of summer break anyway.
After that, the academy would be in ruins, so I'd have to leave regardless.
Taking a breather with Sophia beforehand didn't sound bad. Plus, I couldn't stomach the thought of her roughing it outdoors.
"Not a bad idea. I can't go far, but nearby would be fine."
"Yay! That's great! Even the lower village is fine!"
The lower village was too close.
Especially since it was still under major repairs after getting trashed recently.
"Oh, and after the trip..."
I cleared my throat to draw Sophia's attention and continued.
"...How about staying here at the chapel instead? I live in the attic, so the room inside the double doors on the first floor should work."
"Pardon?"
Sophia's eyes widened.
"Y-You mean... stay at the chapel during break? That would be... living together?"
"Well... yes, you could see it that way. If it makes you uncomfortable, no hard feelings..."
"N-No! Not uncomfortable at all! I love it!"
Puff, puff.
Steam rose from above Sophia's head. Before me was a crimson-haired woman, face flushed beet red, nodding vigorously.
"Then when break starts, pack up from the dorms and come here. I'll clear the space."
"Yes!"
Truth be told, inviting Sophia to the chapel had a bit of calculation behind it.
Who knew what incidents might pop up during summer break? If she left Erebos then, it'd be hard to respond. Better to keep her stationed here as insurance against mishaps.
'She's the sturdiest safeguard against Act 3's disaster.'
Of course, to Sophia, my offer felt like rain in a drought.
"Ehehehe."
Her face was utterly relaxed as she sipped her tea, clearly lost in some fantasy. I let her be without interrupting.
Once she finished her tea, I spoke up.
"Well then, good luck with your end-of-semester evaluations. Stay safe."
"Yes, Master!"
Sophia nodded energetically.
All I could do was hope she powered up as much as possible.
'Nothing major... should happen.'
It was just a passing event, after all.
I harbored optimistic hopes.
The semester ended, and summer break arrived.
Not everyone basked in vacation joy.
At least not the second-year knight department students, who faced a trial even greater than end-of-semester exams.
"I'll now explain the overview of the dungeon exploration practice."
Instructor Chiron, in charge of the Erebos knight department second-years, pointed to the map.
The second-years were gathered in a territorial mountain range about half a day's ride from the academy.
"This is where we are. The cave to the north from here is the dungeon entrance for this evaluation."
Dungeon exploration practice.
An essential curriculum that every knight department cadet had to complete at least once.
Dungeons were natural formations at mana veins where magic gathered. But mana and human civilization clashed. If a dungeon spawned in a territory, the monsters pouring out gave lords endless headaches, so they dispatched knights.
This practice was a rehearsal to experience it firsthand.
"This dungeon is a recently discovered 'Hazard' rank."
Murmurs rippled through the cadets at the mention of Hazard rank.
"Hazard rank? That means high-grade beasts could show up."
"...My dad said Hazards require even professional knights..."
Hazard rank was mid-to-high among dungeons.
Naturally risky for cadets.
This was all per the headmaster's orders. To raise the knight department's practice level amid recent unsavory incidents.
Chiron waved to quiet them.
"I understand your concerns. That's why we'll distribute this gear."
Assistants handed out flares and emergency communicators.
"Press the center button on this mana communicator, and it'll signal the waiting knight instructors nearby. They'll arrive in under a minute, so hit it without hesitation if danger strikes."
With instructors stationed inside and safety measures provided, the cadets visibly relaxed.
Chiron then announced team assignments for the dungeon practice. Finally, he called Sophia's team.
"Team 4. Leader: Sophia Aquilova. Members: Samuel Anton, Cassandra Lucinen, and..."
The named cadets' faces darkened progressively. To knight department cadets, Sophia Aquilova was like the grim reaper.
"...That's it. Dungeon exploration practice starts now. Teams, proceed to the entrance."
Sophia headed straight to the dungeon entrance upon hearing her team. She ignored the murmurs from her trailing teammates.
'After this... a trip with Master.'
That single thought consumed her.
Where to go?
Sophia didn't know a single summer resort near the academy.
But it didn't have to be a resort. Anything to escape stifling Erebos and spend intimate time with Master somewhere.
And... living together.
Yes. Living together. Sharing meals under the same roof.
"Hehe..."
Just thinking about it made her lips twitch.
Of course, her teammates recoiled at the lecherous grin from the corner of her eye.
"Team 4, entering."
Following the instructor's flare signal, Sophia entered the dungeon. Her frowning teammates followed.
The interior was pitch black. Even with lanterns, visibility was scant.
"Um, Aquilova... shouldn't we organize our formation first?"
One teammate mustered courage to speak.
The goal was to destroy the magic core somewhere in the dungeon.
That required formation, mapping the interior, and advancing cautiously.
The standard approach.
But...
"No need. Just follow me."
Sophia focused on her sense of smell.
During training, she'd learned to navigate without sight. Magic cores emitted a distinctive acrid mana scent. Following it would lead straight to the depths.
And sure enough.
[Kieeeek!]
"Kyaa! Magic beast! A beast!"
A teammate drew their sword in panic.
But before they could prepare, Sophia had already positioned her Ink Sword where the beast would charge.
——Slice.
The beast let out a death screech and perished.
"...Huh?"
Her teammates rubbed their eyes. To them, it looked like the beast dived onto the blade.
In truth, Sophia had predicted its trajectory and placed the sword in its path.
As they gawked, Sophia nonchalantly moved forward.
"Here. Another one ahead. Be careful."
"Uh, o-okay."
At that point, formations were pointless.
Sophia scouted by scent and dispatched any beasts that lunged. Her teammates had no chance to intervene.
"She's insane. How does that even work? Can she see something?"
"...Top student indeed."
"This is honey. Pure honey."
The cadets, who had sulked at being teamed with her, now beamed.
But only briefly.
"...Wait."
Sophia scowled.
She smelled it.
Foul stench. Blood reek. Not a beast's.
Her transcendent nose picked it up.
An odor that should never emanate here.
Sophia raised her hand to halt her team.
"People ahead."
"What? People? Assistants?"
"...No. Blood smell. Not assistants."
No sooner had Sophia muttered than figures emerged from around the corner.
Masked assailants. Each carried sinister cold weapons on their backs.
Thud.
Sophia cautiously sidestepped.
The eyes behind the masks followed her.
That confirmed it.
'...They're after me.'
It was an ambush.